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Rail strikes at Greater Anglia, Merseyrail, Northern, South Western Rail strikes at Greater Anglia, Merseyrail, Northern, South Western
(about 7 hours later)
Train passengers face another day of disruption as union members at four rail firms stage the latest 24-hour strikes in disputes over safety.Train passengers face another day of disruption as union members at four rail firms stage the latest 24-hour strikes in disputes over safety.
Services on Greater Anglia, Merseyrail, Northern and South Western Railway, including its Isle of Wight Island Line, are likely to be affected on Wednesday.Services on Greater Anglia, Merseyrail, Northern and South Western Railway, including its Isle of Wight Island Line, are likely to be affected on Wednesday.
RMT union members also walked out on Monday and plan to again on Friday.RMT union members also walked out on Monday and plan to again on Friday.
The Department for Transport denied the dispute was about safety.The Department for Transport denied the dispute was about safety.
It said rail firms would "keep passengers moving".It said rail firms would "keep passengers moving".
The disputes the union has with rail firms include concerns over the role of guards, fears over safety and job losses surrounding plans to introduce new driver-only operated trains.The disputes the union has with rail firms include concerns over the role of guards, fears over safety and job losses surrounding plans to introduce new driver-only operated trains.
RMT union members have been told not to book shifts between 00:01 and 23:59 GMT on strike days.RMT union members have been told not to book shifts between 00:01 and 23:59 GMT on strike days.
Services during strike action:Services during strike action:
RMT union general secretary Mick Cash said: "Every single effort that RMT has made to reach negotiated settlements in these separate disputes with the different train operating companies over safe operation and safe staffing has been kicked back in our faces. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our members are standing firm this morning in the separate disputes across the country in defence of rail safety and the role of the guard.
"These disputes are about putting the safety of the travelling public before the profits of the private train companies." "This week, in the midst of the Tory reshuffle shambles, we called on Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to organise summit talks to move these disputes forwards. We have have had no response.
"Mr Grayling's silence speaks volumes and, with today's damning NAO report into the Southern Rail fiasco, it is becoming clearer by the minute that all the Tory Government are interested in is protecting the fat profits of the greedy private rail companies regardless of the impact on services and safety.
"The strikes today are about putting public safety before private profit."
Mr Cash said the agreements had been reached in Scotland and Wales to keep guards on new modern trains.Mr Cash said the agreements had been reached in Scotland and Wales to keep guards on new modern trains.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Train companies will keep passengers moving with the majority of services running as planned.A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Train companies will keep passengers moving with the majority of services running as planned.
"This dispute is not about safety and no one is losing their job - employees have been guaranteed jobs and salaries for several years."This dispute is not about safety and no one is losing their job - employees have been guaranteed jobs and salaries for several years.
"At Southern Rail, where these changes have already been introduced, there are now more staff dedicated to working on trains than previously."At Southern Rail, where these changes have already been introduced, there are now more staff dedicated to working on trains than previously.
"The independent rail regulator has stated unequivocally that driver-controlled trains, which have been used in this country for more than 30 years, are safe.""The independent rail regulator has stated unequivocally that driver-controlled trains, which have been used in this country for more than 30 years, are safe."